To
The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States of America
Mr. President,
On behalf of the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) — representing 50,000 members, including thousands of senior commanders from all branches of Israel’s defense establishment — we wish to commend your unwavering leadership and steadfast commitment to peace and security for Israel and the broader Middle East. We wish you every success in your upcoming visit, and hope it marks a historic turning point toward the change the region has long yearned for. This region, long plagued by conflict, deserves a genuine new beginning.
The Middle East stands at a pivotal crossroads. In our professional judgment, Israel must be afforded full freedom of action to complete its mission in Gaza and fulfill its clearly stated war objectives: the destruction of the Hamas terrorist regime as a civil and military entity, the safe return of all hostages, and the establishment of a fundamentally new reality on the ground. By realizing your vision for a new, terror-free Gaza—beginning with allowing those who wish to leave and rebuilding it as a peaceful, prosperous enclave—we can secure a better future for the entire region.
This is not only Israel’s war — it is a campaign against the shared enemies of the United States, the West, and the free world.
There is no viable outcome to this war short of achieving the full achievement of these objectives. We have full confidence in the IDF and its commanders to see this mission through with the same professionalism, courage, and determination they have consistently demonstrated.
This war must end — but it must end with a conclusive victory over Iran, Hamas, and the radical axis. Removing this threat will ensure not only Israel’s security, but the security of the United States and the entire Western world.
Such a victory will also allow us to turn our focus to the most urgent threat to regional and global peace: Iran’s nuclear program. While the gallant Iranian people deserve freedom, the reality is that this regime and its radical hardliners cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. This could undercut the desired accomplishments of the US in the region, drive pragmatic Arab countries away from the West, and trigger an unprecedented wave of terrorism and mass migration that will endanger global security.
Denying Iran of its nuclear ambitions is not an act of war – but a necessary step to avoid one. Iran already launched a regional war on October 7, 2023, and it must be restrained decisively by removing the threat and ensuring that it has no future path to nuclear armament. This also includes the demolition of all nuclear sites and the establishment of real inspection mechanisms.
To empower Iran is to empower chaos. To constrain Iran is to unlock peace, prosperity, and regional integration — through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that would link Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, India, and Europe. As you have always stated, peace can only be achieved through strength.
We deeply appreciate your unequivocal support for Israel’s security, your decision to lift all restrictions on arms sales to Israel, your clear stance that Iran must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, and that another October 7 must never be allowed to occur.
The strategic alliance and true friendship between Israel and the United States is ironclad. We look forward to welcoming you in Israel, and thank you for your leadership. Together we can build a more secure Israel and a more prosperous region.
Respectfully,
IDSF – Israel’s Defense and Security Forum
Brg Gen (res) Amir Avivi Maj Gen (res) Gershon Hacohen
Lt Col (res) Yaron Buskila Vice Admiral (res) Eliezer (Eli) Marum
Maj Gen (ret) Shalom Katabi Maj Gen (ret) Aaron Axol
Maj Gen (res) Kamil Abu Rokon Brg Gen (res) Hasson Hasson
Maj Gen (res) Yiftach Ron Tal Brg Gen (res) Yossi Kupperwasser
E.M., former senior Mossad official J.G., former senior Mossad official
Moshe Fuzaylov, fmr senior ISA official Yossi Amrussi, former senior ISA official
Brg Gen (res) Harel Knafo Brg Gen (res) Tsvika Kraus
Rear Adm (ret) Alex Eyal Col (res) Yoram Lev Ran
Col (res) Ronen Itsik Col (res) Oren Zini
Former Ambassador Daniel Saban Former Ambassador Eli Yerushalmi
On behalf of the forum’s leadership and 50,000 members